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Beyond the Page 2024 School Holiday Programme

By WCL librarians

The Beyond the Page literary festival for tamariki and their whānau is back for 2024! Over the school holidays join us across the Wellington/Wairarapa region to celebrate out-of-the-box storytelling!

Beyond the Page logo

Beyond the Page, a multi-disciplinary literary festival for tamariki and their whānau, is back for 2024!

The festival is a collaboration between Hutt City Libraries, Kāpiti Coast District Libraries, Masterton District Library, Upper Hutt Libraries, and Wellington City Libraries, and runs every second year during the October school holidays.

Beyond the Page is an opportunity for tamariki and their whānau to experience the ‘other’ - fizzing, creative, energetic, entrepreneurial, tech-driven, adventurous - side of Libraries.

The festival runs from 28 September-13 October.

Want to know what's on? Just keep reading!

Events with our fabulous Beyond the Page presenters

Alien Junk Monsters

A line of people wearing full body costumes made of recycled materials.

Join us for a thrilling, hands-on workshop where your child can unleash their creativity and craft their very own junk monster puppet! This isn't just any arts and crafts session -- your child will get to use real tools like hand saws, craft knives, battery drills, and hot glue guns. Parental supervision is essential to ensure everyone's safety and fun.

Some sessions require registrations.
For ages 8+ with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all Alien Junk Monsters events.

Birdlife Productions: The Storyteller

A man sitting cross-legged on a mat in front of a crowd of children, raising his hands to play a drum

Bring your whanau to relax and be inspired for an hour in the presence Master Storyteller, Roger Sanders. Roger will tell a selection of his most enchanting Folk and Fairy stories to suit young and old using his mesmerizing voice and live musical instruments.

For tamariki aged 5+ with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with Roger and Birdlife Productions.

Bursting with the Razzle: A Dazzlehands Disco!

Sacha and Josh, dressed in disco clothes and holding a disco ball, pose in front of a colourful background of swirling blues, pinks, and yellows

Liberate those Dazzlehands! Join Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata) for a reading of their uproariously funny Dazzlehands followed by original songs and a very mini rave.

For tamariki aged 3-7 with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with Sacha and Josh.

Dazzlehands Dance Workshop with the Royal New Zealand Ballet

A Dance Educator from RBNZ working with a group of children and having fun

Join us for some free dance workshops! Learn dance steps from the Royal New Zealand Ballet's new children's ballet Dazzlehands (based on the picture book by Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan) with one of our professional dance educators. No previous dance experience is needed - just come along and join in the fun!

Some sessions require registrations.
For tamariki aged 5-7 with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Did Māui Really Hit the Sun?

Matiu Te Huki stands in front of native bush playing a guitar

Did the famously cheeky Māui really hit Tama nui te Rā, the mighty Sun? Come find out in this creative new one-man show with professional musician and kapa haka expert Matiu Te Huki! Join us for this fun journey of adventure that takes a fresh look at one of Aotearoa's most well-known pūrākau.

For tamariki aged 5-12 with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with Matiu Te Huki.

Draw Along with Paul Beavis

An author photo of Paul in front of a grey sea over four book covers and next to an illustrated image of a smiling sheep.

Come along to the library to join superstar author and illustrator Paul Beavis (Nee Naw, There was an odd farmer who swallowed a fly, Ring Ting Tūī) for a fantastic workshop. Learn all about how a picture book gets made, and draw along with Paul to pick up some new skills from the master.

Some sessions require registrations.
For ages 6+ with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with Paul Beavis.

Let's Draw Taniwha with Izzy Joy Te Aho-White

Izzy Te Aho White, a young Māori woman, smiling

Join the talented Isobel Te Aho-White, renowned for her beautiful illustrations in books and school journals, as she takes you on an enchanting journey through the world of taniwha. In this immersive workshop, your child will not only learn about the history and significance of these local taniwha but also get an exclusive look at the ones Isobel has brought to life through her art.

Some sessions require registrations.
For ages 7+ with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with Izzy Joy Te Aho-White.

Llamas at the Llibrary

A man in a blue top holding onto a lead attached to a llama and looking sideways at it.

Come along to Llamas at the Llibrary and get up close with a llama (and some other camelids)! Join us for a special outdoor storytime where a llama-loving librarian will treat you to some stories that feature our long-necked friends, then we'll introduce you to our expert Stephen and his crew of camelids.

For tamariki of all ages with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with Stephen and his camelid crew.

Mastering Dungeons and Dragons

Dungeons and Dragons minis, including several five-headed geese, on a gridded battle map

Join us for an immersive crash course where you'll learn the ins and outs of being a Dungeon Master (DM) in the world's greatest tabletop role-playing game. Whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned player looking to take the reins, our expert DM will equip you with all the tools, tips, and tricks you need to create unforgettable adventures for your friends and fellow gamers.

Registrations are required for this workshop.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all Mastering Dungeons and Dragons events.

New Zealand String Quartet Encounters

A smiling violin player bends down to show a child her violin

NZSQ Encounters is a relaxed, whānau-friendly performance for all ages. With introductions to each piece of music spoken by the musicians themselves, you'll learn about centuries-old instruments, and discover classical music that might sound surprisingly familiar. If you're looking for a taster of classical music, or want to introduce the artform to your tamariki, then these concerts are perfect for you.

For tamariki of all ages with their caregivers.

NZSO Storytime

A man in a vibrant pink suit sitting in front of a group of violin players and a harpist talks to an audience of children and parents

Join an ensemble of players and Animateur Chris Lam Sam from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for an interactive and fun 40-minute concert of music and storytelling for the whole whānau!

Enjoy musical performances of two beloved Kiwi classic picture books - The Little Yellow Digger by Betty Gilderdale and The Bomb by Sacha Cotter and Josh Morgan.

Registrations are required at the Wellington City Libraries session.
For tamariki of all ages with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with the NZSO.

Play Me a Story

A woman in a black dress holding a red harp stands next to a man in a suit holding a red trombone, both are smiling.

Orchestra Wellington presents Play me a Story, performed by Principal Trombone Peter Maunder and Principal Harpist Michelle Velvin. Including familiar tunes and new compositions, this musical performance offers the opportunity for audiences to help compose their very own musical story as part of the programme!

For ages 3+ with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with Orchestra Wellington.

Stories from Our Place with Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

Two women in black Zealandia shirts stand in front of a background of native bush

Discover the unique flora and fauna of Ngaio with Zealandia educators Amanda Raymond and Olivia Keesing!

Join us for a morning of bilingual stories, activities, and an immersive nature walk to rediscover what makes the plants and animals of Ngaio so special.

Recommended for tamariki of all ages with their caregivers.

ULTRAWILD Storytelling and Drawing

Hand drawn illustration of a bearded man wearing a cap gazing up at the fronds of a tree fern with his mouth open

Inventor Steve Mushin is working to change the future. He's illustrated a book of 100+ theoretically possible inventions to transform cities into jungles. It's called ULTRAWILD, and you're invited to join the engineering team. Come and work with Steve on his inventions. Come and develop your OWN ultra wild ideas. Come and draw the future.

Some sessions require registrations.
For ages 9+ with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all events with Steve Mushin.

Events with your librarians

FrankenToys

Transform old toys into something entirely new at our franken-toy event! This is your chance to mix, match, and mash-up different toy parts to create your very own franken-toy masterpiece! We'll provide all the toys, tools and supplies, so you just need to turn up and create your spooky fun franken-toy.

Thanks to our kaimahi at Tip Shop Wellington and friends at Opportunity for Animals for donating the toys which will be given new life at the Wellington sessions.

Some sessions require registrations.
For ages 8+ with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all FrankenToys events.

Gotta be done!

Calling all parents with children who enjoy Bluey™, our GOTTA BE DONE promises a morning filled with laughter, games, and magical moments. Explore the library and discover a whole range of Bluey™-themed activities, from musical statues and Keepy Uppy, to colouring-in and Magic Asparagus.

For tamariki aged 3+ with their caregivers.

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all Gotta be done! events.

Here be Dragons: Fantasy Map-Making for beginners

Venture down to the library and learn how to create your very own fantasy map. We’ll provide all the materials and talk you through our innovative map-creation and map-aging techniques, and you bring the inspiration and ideas for an unknown land!

Some sessions require registrations.
For ages 8+ with their caregivers. 

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all Here be Dragons events.

Miniature Masterpieces

Come along to your local library and create a masterpiece in miniature. Paint, collage, or create your work on one of our tiny canvases then give your masterpiece a title. Afterwards, your work of art will be displayed at the library in our itty-bitty exhibition. 

Most sessions require registrations.
For ages 5+ with their caregivers. 

Events with Wellington City Libraries:

Click here for all Miniature Masterpieces events.